Earpiece



April 22, 1930. A; c. DUNN 1,755,775

EARPIECE Original F iled March 15, 1925 ZAP/i9. i 1 529.5

177,09 IL Z O 7" Qnc/reLv C. DLLTLHL di-farneya 1n the confines of the ear and securely, but

Patented Apr. 22, 1930 UNITED STATES ANDREW C. DUNN, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA EAIRPIECE Application filed March 13, 1923, Serial No. 624,768. Renewed September 16, 1929.

My invention relates to improvements in earpieoes for the receiving mechanism of sound transmitting .apparatusand in the method of producing such improved earpieces.

Its object is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and durable earpiece of the present nature desi ned to be comfortably and securely held in t e car when worn by the user.

Another object is to supply a sightly earpiece of this kind adapted to be placed withdeta chably held therein b3 interlocking enfol s.

7 ga ement with the ear further object isto provide a device serving the dual purpose of a terminal mounting for sound receiving means and as an adapter for applying said receiving means to the external ear. I

An additional object is to supply an earpiece having the advantageous characteristics above noted and providing for the enhanced bodil conduction of audible impulses.

A i hrther object resides in the provision of a novel method of producing earpieces.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear in the following descri tion, the invention resides in the novel com ination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 are inner and outer elevational viewsof an earpiece embodying my invention; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, a portion thereof being broken away to show interior construction and Fig. 4. is a view partly in elevation andpartly in section, the same illustrating a pattern employedin my improved process of earpiece production.

Referring to the drawings, it will be observed that the present earpiece consists of a body 10 having fin-like protuberances thereon. Thisbody sup lies a mounting for the terminal of a soun transmitting apparatus, which, as shown comprises a sound conveying tube a. Said body 10 is shaped to fit the concha or central and largest concavity of the external ear. It envelopp the tip a of the tube a and a portion of t e right turzna' relation for convenient attachment with asso- I ciated arts. Protuberances 11, 12 and li'l,

on the ody 10, fit in concavities of the ear and are respectively engaged b the oartila inous folds or prominences 1 nown as t e tragus, antitragus and antihelix. Thus it will be understood that the earpiece may be readily applied and removed and that when the same is in place within the ear, it is firmly interlocked. therewith and capable of carrying the tube a withoutdanger of accidental dislodgment. v

The body 10 is made from suitable form retaining material, preferably capable of bein cast in a mold.

i prefer to especially construct the earpieces for the individuals for whose use they are intended. It is obvious, however, that from a varied stock ofstandardized earpieces it is possible to obtain a comparatively close fitting earpiece for the average person. Preferably, in constructing an earplece for a given ear, a core is centered therein and a selfhardening plastic substance kneaded about the same and into the central concavities to take an impression of the outer ear. The hardened, shaped substance, as at 18, together with the core 14 forms a pattern, which is used in accordance with common practice to make an ordinary mold (not shown), the ultimate body 10 being then cast of suitable material in said mold.

The core 14, as shown, isshaped like the curved tube a, a reduced tip 15 being formed thereon. Said tube occupies the seat in a mold formed by said core, a plug 16 (dotted lines, Fig. 3? capable of'being removed from the end of t 1e tube and adapted to form the inner opening 17 in the body 10 being inmanner otherwise than that hereinbefore described.

Amon other advanta es resident in my improve earpiece, it wi be readily appreciated that the limited visible part thereof .is sightly; that said earpiece is comfortable .to the wearer and secure against accidental dislodgment from his ear; that special or standard earpieces may be conveniently constructed and that said earpieces due to their intimate contact over relatively greatareas with the roots of the ears enhance the bodily conduction of sound.

Chan es in the specific form of my invention, as erein disclosed, ma he made within the scope of what is claims Without departin from the spirit of my invention.

aving described my invention, What 1 claim as new. and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. An earpiece for a sound'conveying tube having a right angular bend therein roviding a normally horizontal branch an a normally dependin branch, said earpiece comprising a body s aped to fit within-the outer ear and formed about the bend in said tube. said body havin an opening at its inner side bringing the orizontal branch of the tube into communication with the auditory canal or the ear and formed with protuberanees thereon arranged to interlock with the ear folds at either side of said tube.

' 2. An earpiece for a sound conveyiru tube including a normally horizontal branch and a depending branch, saidearpiece comprising a body oiform retaining-material shaped to fit within the outer ear and adapted to hold the horizontal branch of the tuhe with the open 'end thereof in registration with the auditory canal, said body having protuberances thereon to interlock with the ear folds.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. 7, ANDREW G. DUNN. 

